Prelature \Prel"a*ture\ (?; 135), Prelatureship \Prel"a*ture*ship\, n. [F. pr['e]lature, or LL. praelatura.] The state or dignity of a prelate; prelacy. --Milman.
prelature n 1: prelates collectively [syn: {prelacy}] 2: the office or station of a prelate [syn: {prelacy}]